Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's Approval Rating Remains Steady Amid Political Turbulence
A recent Angus Reid Institute survey reveals that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's approval rating has held firm, demonstrating remarkable stability in a political landscape where many provincial leaders are experiencing dramatic fluctuations in public support. The poll, conducted from March 11 to 17, 2026, provides a comprehensive snapshot of how Canadians perceive their provincial leaders.
Smith's Approval Numbers Show Consistency
According to the survey results, more than two-in-five respondents expressed favorable views of Premier Smith's performance. Specifically, 27 percent of participants indicated they strongly approve of her leadership, while an additional 19 percent reported moderate approval. These figures align closely with polling data collected since Smith assumed the premiership in 2022, suggesting a consistent level of support among her base.
This steady approval comes during a politically challenging period for the Alberta government. The province recently unveiled a deficit-driven budget and announced referendum questions scheduled for the fall ballot, including contentious issues related to immigration policy. Despite these potentially divisive measures, Smith's approval metrics have remained largely unchanged.
Significant Disapproval Numbers Present Contrast
However, the survey also reveals substantial opposition to Smith's leadership. A striking 44 percent of respondents reported strong disapproval of the premier's performance, with another 8 percent expressing moderate disapproval. This means that more than half of those surveyed hold negative views of Smith's governance.
The only provincial leader facing stronger disapproval than Smith is Quebec Premier Francois Legault, who has announced he will not seek re-election. Legault's unpopularity stems from controversies surrounding online service provisions at Quebec's public auto insurance corporation and the collapse of a proposed electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant.
Other Provincial Leaders Face Varied Fortunes
The Angus Reid survey provides comparative data on several other provincial leaders across Canada:
- British Columbia Premier David Eby faces significant headwinds, with 37 percent of respondents strongly disapproving of his performance. His approval ratings show 29 percent moderate approval and 7 percent strong approval, while 20 percent expressed moderate disapproval. Eby has been embroiled in controversy over his involvement in a federal land deal with the Musqueam Indian Band.
- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston experienced the most dramatic decline in approval, with his combined rating dropping to 39 percent—a personal low point. Houston's popularity suffered after he reversed planned budget cuts affecting community organizations serving seniors, people with disabilities, and African Nova Scotians.
- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew continues to enjoy the highest approval rating among provincial leaders, with 61 percent of poll participants expressing support for his leadership.
Methodology and Demographics
The Angus Reid survey was conducted online with a random sample of 4,005 Canadians drawn from the institute's online panel. Participants represented all federal ridings and were weighted to be demographically representative of the Canadian population based on age, gender, family income, ethnic status, and education levels according to the latest federal census data.
This comprehensive polling approach ensures that the results accurately reflect the diverse perspectives of Canadians across the country regarding their provincial leadership.
